The family of Michael Olugbade Oyedokun, one of the two teachers killed during the abduction of pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, has appealed to President Bola Tinubu and Governor Seyi Makinde to help recover his remains for a proper burial.
The appeal was contained in an open letter jointly signed by members of the Oyedokun family and addressed to the President on Tuesday.
The family expressed appreciation to President Tinubu, the Nigerian Armed Forces, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies for rescuing the abducted pupils and teachers after nearly two months in captivity.
According to the family, the successful rescue operation restored hope to many families, but theirs remains in mourning because Oyedokun’s body has not been recovered.
“We sincerely thank Your Excellency for the efforts of the Federal Government, the Nigerian Armed Forces, the Department of State Services, the Nigeria Police Force, and other security and intelligence agencies whose dedication and sacrifice led to the successful rescue of the kidnapped victims in Oyo State.
“The safe return of these victims has restored hope to their families and reaffirmed our confidence in the Government’s commitment to protecting the lives and liberty of its citizens. For this, we are deeply grateful,” the letter read.
The family said the inability to recover Oyedokun’s remains has prolonged their grief and denied them the opportunity to give him a dignified burial.
“Our beloved relative, Mr. Michael Olugbade Oyedokun, tragically lost his life while in captivity. Although the rescue operation was successful, his remains have yet to be recovered and returned to us for a dignified burial in accordance with our faith, traditions, and values.
“The absence of his body has prolonged our grief and denied our family the closure that every human being deserves. We continue to live with the pain of not knowing where he rests, unable to perform the final rites that would honour his memory and bring peace to our hearts,” the family stated.
The family appealed to President Tinubu to direct security agencies to intensify efforts to locate and recover the slain teacher’s remains, expressing confidence that the same determination that secured the release of the surviving victims could also bring closure to their family.
“Your Excellency, we respectfully appeal that you direct the relevant security agencies to intensify efforts to locate and recover the remains of Mr. Michael Olugbade Oyedokun.
“We are confident that the same resolve which secured the freedom of the surviving victims can also ensure that his body is returned to his family,” the letter added.
The family further described the recovery of Oyedokun’s body as a humanitarian obligation that would restore dignity to his memory and allow them to begin the healing process.
“Recovering his remains is more than a humanitarian act; it is a solemn obligation that reflects the dignity of every Nigerian life. It would demonstrate that no citizen is forgotten, abandoned, or denied dignity, even in death.
“We earnestly hope this appeal will receive your compassionate and urgent consideration, so that we may finally lay our beloved husband, father, brother, and son to rest with the honour and dignity he deserves, and begin the difficult journey toward healing,” the letter stated.
PUNCH Online had earlier reported that the rescued principal of Community High School, Mrs. Rachael Alamu, disclosed that Oyedokun was beheaded by the kidnappers on the second day of captivity, while another teacher, Esiyan Adegboye, was shot dead during the attack.
According to Alamu, the abductors killed the two teachers to pressure the government into meeting their demands.
While Adegboye’s body was recovered and buried in Ogbomoso on May 22, Oyedokun’s remains have yet to be found despite the successful rescue of the remaining abducted pupils and teachers after 57 days in captivity.
